Type-writing machine.



Patented Aug. 17, 1915.

ATTORNEY.

- .10 typevvriting machines, and an object of the "ran erm ne ra'rnnr orrrcn.

"WILLIAM F. HELMOND, or HARTFORD, C'ONNECTICUT, ASSIGNOR To UNDERWOOD TYPEWRII'ER COMPANY,- or NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE.

TYPE-WRITING MAPHINE.

To alljicllomit may concern.

.Beit known that I. \Vnumxn F. Himatone, a citizen of the United States. resid .ing at Ilarttord, in the county of Hartford and State of Connecticut, have invented cerain new and useful Improvements in Typeritmg l\'laclnnes,' of which the follow ng is ,SPBCll'lfiiltlUll. My invention relates'to improvements in invention is to provide an improved mecha- ,nism forpermittingadjustment of the platen relatively to the line-space wheel, by which ;the platen may be easily released and ad justed, and then positively and reliably held in any position of adjustment.

The drawings show a clutch-drum loosely .inomited on the platen axle and connected to'the. line-space wheel. \Vithin said drmn .is a disk, which, however. is fixed to the platen axle and carries a pairoi' curved .grips or clutch arms to bear against the in ,ner periphery of said drum. These arms spread or expand mto gripping engagement with the drum. This operation ispert'ormed by a pair of levers, or bell-cranks, the ends of which etend between said arms. The

i ends of said levers may bear against a float- 111g Fulcrum pin, and knuckle-joint pins may be interposed between said levers and the ends ot' the clutch arlns, so that the devices are cheaply mamitactured and readily assemblcd, and when the free ends of the levers are spread as by an operating cam slidable longitudinally on the platen axle, the clutch members are. spread into gripping engagement with the drum.

A spring-actuated detent lever, pivoted on i I the platen frame. is shittable away from the 1Q line-space wheel by an operating cam lever, which may be positioned betweenthe linehspa ce wheel and the. clutch drum and is journaled on the hub connecting said wheel and drum. The operating lever is rotatable about the platen axle as an axis, to cam the 'detent away fronr the line-space wheel and cause the pressure of the detentspring to be ti'a1is1i'1itte(l through the operating lever to said hub and thereby apply a braking or. retarding action to the platen.

This invention is an improvement on the invention disclosed in my co-pending applicatlon, Serial No. 735,611.

Other features and advantages will appear hereinafter.

Specification of Letters Patent.

lat'en ted A 11". 1 '7, 191 5.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 1s a perspective view-of the carriage and platen of an l nderitood typewriting machine, with my invention applied thereto. Fig.2 is a sectional end elevation view showing the spring-operated detent for the line-space wheel. and the. operating lever and brake. Fig. 3 is a sectional view of the clutch and associated parts. Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the invention with the parts disassembled. Fig. 5 is a sectional elevation showing the clutch members in released position. Fig. (i is a similar view with the clutch members in locking position. Fig. T is a detail view of the locking latch tor the clutch-operating cam. Fig. 8 is a view of the combined detent operating lever and brake. Fig. 9 is a detail view of the iletent.

The rotary platen l is fixed to the axle 2 journaled in the platen frame 3 which is shittable to upper and lower case positions in the traveling carriage 4-. Line-space rotation of the platen is etl'ected by the operation of a line-space lever 5 pivoted at and having an arm 7 to actuate a slide bar 8, to which is pivoted a pawl 9 cooperating with a line-space ratchet wheel 10 connected to the platen axle through the intermediary of clutch mechanism presently to be described.

The clutch mechanism comprises a disk 11 having a hub or sleeve 12 fixed to the platen axle .2. as by m ans of a pin 13. A pair of clutch arms or grips 14 freely supported on the trout face of the disk 11, are adapted to be spread or expanded into frictional clutching engagement with the inner peripheral l'ace oi a clutch member 15 in the form of a drum or casing having a hub 16 mounted 9 to rotate freely on the hub 12 of the disk 11. The line-space wheel 10, is fixed to the hub 16 to rotate at all times with the clutch drum 1:").

The lower ends of the clutch members 14- abut against a spacing block 17 secured to the disk 11 and expansible by means of a tapered screw 18, which entersa slot 19 in said block, permitting the bifurcated block to be spread by setting up said screw, thus permitting an accurate and line adjustment of the clutch members 1 1. The clutch members 14; are spread into gripping engagement with theclutch drum 15 by means of a pair of levers 20 fulcrumed on a. floating fulcrum tively to the clutch members 14. The lower pin 21 movable laterally to equalize the pressure on the clutch members 14, said pm 21 seated in notches 22 in the clutch members.

Interposed between the levers20 and the arms 14 are knuckle-joint pins 23, which'seat in recesses 24 in the said levers and arms.

The levers 20 extend on opposite .sides of.

the platen axle 2, and when they are in contact with the axle, as shown in Fig; 5, the clutch members 14 rest lightly against the drum 15, so that said drum, and with it the line-space wheel 10, are free to rotate relaends ofthe levers 20 are spread to effect a clutching engagement of the arms 14 with the drum by means of a clutch operating cam 25.

axle, the inner end of the" cam being tapered to enter between the axle and the clutch levers to spread the latter to the Fig. 6

' position, when the operating cam is moved inward.

It will be noted that the pins 23 are close.

to the fulcrum pin 21, and so positioned relatively to the fu crum'pin that only a slight movement of the arms 14 is effected, but a powerful leverage is obtained. This slight movement of the arms 14 is sufficient to cause them to powerfully grip the clutch drum 15 when said levers are spread, so as to ositively prevent any relative rotation of the platen line-spaced wheel, but permitting free relative rotation of said parts when the levers 20 are moved inward to the Fig. 5 position. The pins 23 provide a cheaply constructed, efficient and practical form of knuckle-joint between the grips 14 and thelevers 20, and aid in transmitting pressure from the levers 20 in a direction to distribute the pressure over the periphery of the drum 15. Viewedin another way, the pins act as wedges between the levers 20 'and grips 14,

and apply pressure to said grips in the direction of their length, as well as forcing the ends of the grips directly against the drum i of the said grips.

The grips 14 are preferably made of cast iron or other practically rigid or non-elastic material, to insure a positive action, but the levers 20 may be made of elastic material, as spring steel, permitting said levers to yield slightly when spread by the operating cam.

" The spring in thelevers 20 insures an easy operation of the cam 25 and compensates for wear, unevenness or other variations, while insuring an eliectivegripping action The cam 25 is operated by means of a button 26, to which are connected .rods 27 and 28, extending through the hub 29 of a hand wheel 30 fixed on the platen axle, said rodsslidable longitudinally in said hub, and

I at their inner ends having a lost motion connection with the cam 25. Said connection Said cam is mounted on the platen axle, and is slidable longitudinally of-the 37 formed in theh'ub 29. When the cam 25 is moved 'inward, the locking latch 35 is thrown inward by a spring 39 to a positionbehind the end of a rod'38 slidable in the hub-29 and connected at its forward end to the cam 25. Such connection may be formed ing position it rests against a restricted portion 40 in the rod 27.

When the button 26 is pulled outward to release the clutch, the latch 35 is 'cammed outward by the rod 27 during the initial movement of said rod, while the lost motionby providing a neck on the rod 38 to receive the flange 32. When the latch 35 is in lockbetween said rod and the vcam 25 is being taken up. The rod38 is thus released and permits the cam 25 tov be withdrawn by the continued outward movement of the button 26, thereby releasing the arms 14 and permitting the platen to be rotated independently" of the line-space wheel. Therods 27, 28 and 38 are held against accidental disconnection from the cam 25by means of a spacing sleeve 40 loose on the platen axle opposite the flange 32.

Acover plate 41 for the clutch drum 15 is spaced from the disk "11 by-spacing blocks 42 and secured in position by screws 43 extending through the cover plate and threaded into the blocks 42. It will be noted that I,

the clutch levers 20, arms 14, and the pins 23, 21, are all held in position within the clutch drum without being attached either.

to the drum or the disk 11.

The spring-operated detent for positioning and holding the'line-space wheel 10 at line space intervals, comprises a roller 44 mounted on a pivotpin 45, on the outerend of an arm 46,.the inner endof which is pivoted by a screw 47; to the platen frame. A spr ng 48 holds the detent roller normally agamst the line-space wheel. The detent may be thrown off the Wheel bya lever 49 havlng' an arc-shaped-bearing v50, which rests against the'hub' 16 oi the clutch drum, permitting the lever '49 to rotate about the platen axle 2 as a center.

the pivot pin 45. When the lever 49 is swung down to the Fig. 1 position, the de- A cam 51 on the, lever 49 enters a groove 52 in a roller 53 on tent roller is free to be held against the linespace wheel by the spring 48. When the lever 49 is swung upward by means of a handle 54 to the Fig. 2 position, the cam 51 throws the detent arm 46 away from the line-space wheel. The hub 50 of the lever 49 at the same time is pressed by the spring {l8 against the hub 16, and thus produces a Sjbraking pressure on the clutch form. .lhe 1. platen is thereby prevented from rotating .too freely, thus permitting a quick and accurate rotary adjustment of the platen into position for making corrections or additions 10 of letters, interlined WOI(lS, 8tC., and also fpreventing accidental displacement of the platen after such adjustment. The throw of the'lever 49 is limited in both directions hy the shoulders at the ends of the cam 51. i5 It will be observed that the detent arm 46 holds the lever 49 against its bearing hub 1G, preventingoccidental displacement .of said lever, which is seated between the linespace wheel and the clutch drum, thus ob- Z-Owiating the necessity of any other support- 111g means for the lever, and permitting the latter to be readily placed in position or removed, by swinging the detent arm free from the said lever. 25. Variations may be resorted to within the .scope' of the invention, and portions of the v improvements may be used without others. 7 Having thus described my invention, I claim: 30,. 1. The combination with a rotary platen and a line-space wheel, of clutch mechanism to connect the platen and said wheel comprising a member having an annular bearing surface, a pair of clutch members ex- 3 5. pansible into gripping engagement with- 1. said surface, a pair of clutch operating le yvers, and knucklejoint pins interposed be tween said lever, and said clutch members.

.to transmit and direct the operating force applied to the clutch members.

2. The combination with a rotary platen 'and a line-space wheel, of clutch mechanism to connect the platen and saidwheel comprising a member having an annular bear- 5 ing surface, a pair of clutch members ex pansible into gripping engagement with said surface, a pair of clutch operating levers, knuckle-joint pins interposed between said levers and said clutch members, a float- 50 ing fulcrum pin for said'levers between said anti-friction rollers, and means to rotate Qsaid. levers about their fulcrum.

:3. In a typewriting machine, the combination with'a rotary platen and a line-space -=5. .;wheel, of clutch mechanism to connect the platen andsaid wheel, said clutch mechanism comprising a clutch drum, a disk with in the drum, expansion clutch members mounted on said disk, operating levers each fi having one end extending between the ends of said expansion members, knuckle-joint pins between said ends of the levers and the ends of the expansion members, andmeans to actuate said levers.

4. In a typewriting machine, the combination with a rotary platen and a line-space wheel, of clutch mechanism to connect the platen and said wheel, said clutch mechanism comprising a clutch drum, a disk within the drum, expansion clutch membersmounted on said disk, operating levers each having one end extending between the ends of said expansion members, knuckle-joint pins between said ends of the levers and the expansion members, a fulcrum pin between said ends of the levers and forming a floating fulcrum for the levers. said levers extending on opposite sides of the platen axle,

wheel, said mechanism comprising a clutch I member having an annular bearing surface,

a pair of non elastic clutch members having bearing surfaces curved to conform to said annular bearing surface and having their ends spaced, a pair of operating levers extending between sald spaced ends, and. knuckleoint pins, interposed between said levers and the said ends of the clutch. mem-.

bers, said levers operable to transmit pres sure through said pins to the clutch members and cause their said bearing surfaces to grip the annular bearing surface.

(3. In a typewriting machine, the combination with a rotary platen and a. line-space wheel, of a clutch mechanism to form a driving connection between the platen and .wheel, saidlmechanism comprising a clutch member having an annular bearing surface, a pair of non-elastic clutch members curved to conform to said annular bearing surface and having their ends spaced to receive a pair of operating levers, knuckle-joint pinsinterposed between said levers and-the said ends of the clutch members, said levers and clutch members formed with recesses to receive said ,lnmckle-joint pins, and a fulcrum pin located between the ends of said levers adjacent the lmuckle-joint pins and seated cesses in the levers.

7. The combination with ya rotary platen and a line-space wheel, of clutch mechanism forming a driving connection between said parts, said mechanisn'i' comprising a. clutch drum, a disk within said drum, a bearing block'mounted on said disk, a pair ofnou-elas' tic clutch members each having one end abutting against said bearing block, a pair of in reoperating levers extending between the ends of said clutch members opposite the bearing block, and means to actuate saidlevers and thereby spread the said clutch members into block mounted on saiddisk, a pair of nonelastic clutch members each having'one end abutting against said bearing-block, a pair of operating leversextending between the ends of said clutch members opposite the bearing block, means to actuate said levers and thereby spread the said clutch members into gripping engagement with the inner periphery of the drum, knuckle-joint-pins between said levers and clutch-members, and means to expand said bearing block to ac-" curately adjust the clutch members.

9. The combination with a rotary platen and a line-space wheel, of clutch mechanism connecting the platen and Wheel, comprising a clutch part having a circumferential friction holding surface, a gripextending along said surface, an operating lever, and a knuckle-joint pin between said lever and said grip to form a joint between the lever and grip through which an operating force may be transmitted to hold the grip against said surface.

10. The combination with a rotary platen and a line-space wheel, of clutchanechanism connecting the platen and wheel comprising a clutch part having a circumferential friction-holding surface, a grip extending along said surface, an operating lever, a knucklejoint pin between said lever and said grip to form a joint between the lever and grip through which an operating force may be transmitted to hold the grip against, said surface, and means to actuate said lever, said grip being formed of non-elastic material, said lever of spring material, whereby the grip is held against said surface with a yielding pressure.

11. The combination with a rotary platen and a line-space wheel, of clutch mechanism .to connect the platen and line-space wheel, comprising a clutch part having a circumferential holding surface, a grip extending along said surface, means to form an abutment against which one end of the grip bears, an operating lever, and aknucklejoint pin between said lever and the other end of said grip whereby a knuckle-joint is v provided between the lever and grip through which an operating force may be transprising a clutch drum having an inner circumferential friction holding surface, grips within said drum having friction holding surfaces curved to conform to said circumferential surface and extending therealong, the ends of said grips being spaced, operat ing levers having portionsprojectng between said spaced ends, knuckle-joint pins between said ends of the grips and the levers, and

seated in recesses in the grips and levers, means to actuate the levers and cause the grips to bear against the circumferential surface, and a cover plate or cap for said pins and levers.

13; The combination with a rotary platen and a line-space wheel, of clutch mechanism to connect the platen and said wheel, comprising a clutch part having a circumferential bearing surface, gripping means extending along said surface and having spaced ends, operating levers extending between said ends, means to actuate said levers, and knuckle-joint pins between said levers and said spaced ends, for transmitting and v drum to prevent displacement of said grips,

directing an operating pressure from the ing along said surface an having spaced ends, operating levers e ending between said ends, means to ac uate said levers. knuckle-joint pins between said levers and said spaced ends for transmitting and directing an operating pressure from the .levers to saidgripping means whereby the latter is caused to grip-said circumferential surface, and a fulcrum pin between said levers forming a floating-fulcrum for the levers whereby the pressure transmitted to the gripping means is eq nrlized,

. WILLIAM F. HELMOND, Witnesses LEON P. MAIGRET, PATRICK J. MCINTEE. 

